[1] Started by Baburao Patel in 1935,[citation needed] filmindia was the first English film periodical to be published from Bombay.

The magazine was reportedly run "single-handedly" by Patel, who wielded power through this medium to "make or destroy a film".

His articles included siding with the lesser known cinema workers like the technicians, extras and stuntmen.

[4] The magazine "created a sensation" on its launch with its "canny mix of rumour and review, observation and opinion" and Patel became a "celebrity" equal to the film stars he wrote about.

[8] The first film periodical "exclusively devoted to cinema" was established in India in 1924, with the Gujarati magazine Mouj Majah by J. K.

Patel found it difficult to run two periodicals simultaneously and he made the decision to shut down filmindia and focus on Mother India.

According to author, journalist Bhawna Somaya, "It was the most popular film magazine of its time, widely appreciated for its bold stand on current issues and a scintillating style of writing.

[6] Baburao Patel was famous for his sharp wit, and according to Habib Tanveer he was discerning and wrote "absolutely frankly", "totally ruthlessly and funnily".